Akap200 suppresses the effects of Dv-cbl expression in the Drosophila eye

The enhancement of re-endothelialisation is a critical therapeutic option for repairing injured blood vessels. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are the major source of cells that participate in endothelium repair and contribute to re-endothelialisation by reducing neointima formation after vascular injury. The over-expression of the inhibitor of differentiation or DNA binding 1 (Id1) significantly improved EPC proliferation. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Id1 on the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB)/survivin signalling pathway and its significance in promoting EPC proliferation in vitro. Spleen-derived EPCs were cultured as previously described. Id1 was presented at low levels in EPCs, and was rapidly up-regulated by stimulation with vascular endothelial growth factor. We demonstrated that transient transfection of Id1 into EPCs activated the PI3K/Akt/NFκB/survivin signalling pathway and promoted EPC proliferation. The proliferation of EPCs was extensively inhibited by silencing of endogenous Id1, and knockdown of Id1 expression led to suppression of PI3K/Akt/NFκB/survivin signalling pathway in EPCs. In addition, blockade by the PI3K-specific inhibitor LY294002, Akt inhibitor, the NFκB inhibitor BAY 11-7082, the survivin inhibitor Curcumin, or the survivin inhibitor YM155 reduced the effects of Id1 transfection. These results suggest that the Id1/PI3K/Akt/NFκB/survivin signalling pathway plays a critical role in EPC proliferation. The Id1/PI3K/Akt/NFκB/survivin signalling pathway may represent a novel therapeutic target in the prevention of restenosis after vascular injury.     

VEGF和SDF-1 的协同作用对内皮祖细胞增殖与迁移的影响

目的:研究血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)和基质衍生因子-1(SDF-1)的协同作用对高血压脑出血患者内皮祖细胞(EPCs)增殖迁移能力的影响。方法:采集急性期高血压脑出血患者与健康对照的外周静脉血,分离培养外周血中的EPCs。用分别含有不同VEGF与SDF-1的培养基处理患者外周血分离的EPCs,Western blot检测各组细胞以及患者和对照中VEGF和SDF-1的蛋白表达。MTT法检测细胞增值能力,Transwell法检测细胞迁移能力,分别转染VEGF-si RNA与SDF-1-si RNA至各组细胞观察抑制VEGF和SDF-1对EPCs增殖迁移能力的影响。结果:VEGF和SDF-1在患者中的表达显著高于健康对照组。VEGF和SDF-1对EPCs的增殖和迁移能力有促进作用,且在其协同作用下效果显著。抑制VEGF或SDF-1显著降低VEGF和SDF-1对EPCs增殖迁移能力的促进作用。结论:VEGF和SDF-1的协同作可促进急性期高血压脑出血患者EPCs的细胞增殖能力和迁移能力,对患者血管修复提供新的治疗方向。     

Effects of tumour necrosis factor-alpha on activity and nitric oxide synthase of endothelial progenitor cells from peripheral blood

The aim of this investigation was to determine whether tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) has any effect on endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Total mononuclear cells were isolated from peripheral blood by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation, and then the cells were plated on fibronectin-coated culture dishes. After 7 days culture, attached cells were stimulated with tumour necrosis factor-α (final concentrations: 0, 10, 20, 50 and 100 mg/l) for 0, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h. EPCs were characterized as adherent cells double positive for DiLDL-uptake and lectin binding, by direct fluorescence staining. EPC proliferation and migration were assayed using the MTT assay and modified Boyden chamber assay, respectively. EPC adhesion assay was performed by re-plating those cells on fibronectin-coated dishes, and adherent cells were counted. Tube formation activity was assayed using a tube formation kit. Levels of apoptosis were revealed using an annexin V apoptosis detection kit. Vascular endothelial growth factor Receptor-1 (VEGF-R1) and stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1) mRNA, assessed by real-time RT-PCR inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were assayed by western blot analysis. Incubation of EPCs with tumour necrosis factor-α reduced EPC proliferation, migration, adhesion, tube formation capacity, iNOS and eNOS in concentration- and time-dependent manners. Tumour necrosis factor-α reduced proliferation, migration, adhesion and tube formation capacity of EPCs. TNF-α increased EPC apoptosis level, reduced VEGF-R1 and SDF-1 mRNA expression; tumour necrosis factor-α also reduced iNOS and eNOS in the EPCs.     

Id1 restrains p21 expression to control endothelial progenitor cell formation

Loss of Id1 in the bone marrow (BM) severely impairs tumor angiogenesis resulting in significant inhibition of tumor growth. This phenotype has been associated with the absence of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in the peripheral blood of Id1 mutant mice. However, the manner in which Id1 loss in the BM controls EPC generation or mobilization is largely unknown. Using genetically modified mouse models we demonstrate here that the generation of EPCs in the BM depends on the ability of Id1 to restrain the expression of its target gene p21. Through a series of cellular and functional studies we show that the increased myeloid commitment of BM stem cells and the absence of EPCs in Id1 knockout mice are associated with elevated p21 expression. Genetic ablation of p21 rescues the EPC population in the Id1 null animals, re-establishing functional BM-derived angiogenesis and restoring normal tumor growth. These results demonstrate that the restraint of p21 expression by Id1 is one key element of its activity in facilitating the generation of EPCs in the BM and highlight the critical role these cells play in tumor angiogenesis.     

Silencing stromal interaction molecule 1 by RNA interference inhibits the proliferation and migration of endothelial progenitor cells

Knockdown of stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) significantly suppresses neointima hyperplasia after vascular injury. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are the major source of cells that respond to endothelium repair and contribute to re-endothelialization by reducing neointima formation after vascular injury. We hypothesized that the effect of STIM1 on neointima hyperplasia inhibition is mediated through its effect on the biological properties of EPCs. In this study, we investigated the effects of STIM1 on the proliferation and migration of EPCs and examined the effect of STIM1 knockdown using cultured rat bone marrow-derived EPCs. STIM1 was expressed in EPCs, and knockdown of STIM1 by adenoviral delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) significantly suppressed the proliferation and migration of EPCs. Furthermore, STIM1 knockdown decreased store-operated channel entry 48 h after transfection. Replenishment with recombinant human STIM1 reversed the effects of STIM1 knockdown. Our data suggest that the store-operated transient receptor potential canonical 1 channel is involved in regulating the biological properties of EPCs through STIM1. STIM1 is a potent regulator of cell proliferation and migration in rat EPCs and may play an important role in the biological properties of EPCs.     

Characteristics of bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells in aged mice

Evidence for dysfunction of endothelial repair in aged mice was sought by studying the pattern of induced differentiation, quantity, and function of bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in aged mice. The CD117-positive stem cell population was separated from bone marrow by magnetic activated cell-sorting system (MACS), and EPCs were defined by demonstrating the expression of CD117+CD34+Flk-1+ by flow cytometry. After 7 days of culture, the number of clones formed was counted, and proliferation and migration of EPCs were analyzed by MTT[3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide] assay and modified Boyden chamber assay. The results demonstrated that compared to the control group, the quantity of bone marrow-derived CD117+ stem cells and EPCs, as well as the proliferation, migration, the number of clones formed, and phagocytotic function of EPCs were significantly reduced in aged mice. There were no significant differences in the morphology and induced differentiation pattern of EPCs between the aged mouse group and the control group. Authors suggest that the dysfunction of EPCs may serve as a surrogate parameter of vascular function in old mice.     

Angiogenic activity of endothelial progenitor cells through angiopoietin-1 and angiopoietin-2

Angiogenesis is a regulated process involving the proliferation, migration, and remodeling of different cell types particularly mature endothelial cells and recently discovered progenitor cells, named as endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Up to now, many attempts have been made to understand the dynamic balance of pro- and anti-angiogenic factors on EPCs on different milieu. It has been accepted that Ang-1, -2 and Tie-1, -2 signaling play a key role on angiogenesis pathways in endothelial lineage cells. In the current experiment, the angiogenic/angio-modulatory potency of Ang-1 and -2 was investigated on isolated EPCs. Freshly isolated EPCs were exposed to different concentrations of Ang-1 and -2 (25 and 50?ng/ml) over a course of 7 and 14 days. Corroborating to our results, a superior effect of Ang-1 on angiogenic properties, including an increased concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor, in vitro tubulogenesis, EPC migratory, Tie-2 expression and clonogenicity, was determined. A large amount of positive mature endothelium markers was achieved in EPCs being-exposed to Ang-1 peptide. Nonetheless, the number of CD133 positive cells increased in the presence of Ang-2. Collectively, we conclude that Ang-1 potentially induces functional and mature vascular-like behavior in EPCs more than Ang-2.     

Role of integrin-linked kinase for functional capacity of endothelial progenitor cells in patients with stable coronary artery disease

Number and function of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are down-regulated in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is a signal and adaptor protein that regulates survival of mature endothelial cells and vascular development.Here we show that EPC dysfunction in patients with CAD is paralleled by down-regulation of ILK while restoration of ILK expression rescues the migratory defect of CAD-EPCs. Human EPCs transduced with dominant-negative ILK (DN-ILK) display significantly reduced expression of CD34⁺/VEGFR-2⁺, DiI-Ac-LDL uptake, and Ulex europaeus lectin binding. Mechanistically, DN-ILK-transfected EPCs are characterized by decreased proliferation, while proliferation is increased in wild-type ILK-transfected EPCs. These effects are paralleled by changes in cyclin D1 expression, colony forming units, and cytoskeletal rearrangement. Functionally, ILK is necessary and sufficient for SDF-1-triggered migration and adhesion in EPCs.These data extend current knowledge about the role of ILK in EPC biology and implicate ILK as a therapeutic target in CAD.     

Paracrine mitogenic effect of human endothelial progenitor cells: role of interleukin-8

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play an important role in repair of vascular injury and neovascularization. Molecular mechanisms underlying vascular effects of EPCs are not fully understood. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that human EPCs exert a strong paracrine mitogenic effect on mature endothelial cells. Levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) were significantly higher in conditioned medium (CM) collected from EPCs than in CM derived from mature endothelial cells [umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and coronary artery endothelial cells (CAECs)]. CM of EPCs stimulated proliferation of HUVECs and CAECs. This mitogenic effect was partially inhibited by IL-8-neutralizing antibody. In contrast, CM of HUVECs and CAECs had a weak or no mitogenic effect on mature endothelial cells. Our results demonstrate significantly higher levels of IL-8 secretion by human EPCs than by mature endothelial cells. IL-8 appears to be an important mediator of the paracrine mitogenic effect of EPCs.     

Over-expression of PDGFR-β promotes PDGF-induced proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of EPCs through PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

The proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play critical roles in postnatal neovascularization and re-endothelialization following vascular injury. Here we evaluated whether the over-expression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFR-β) can enhance the PDGF-BB-stimulated biological functions of EPCs through the PDGFR-β/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway. We first confirmed the expression of endogenous PDGFR-β and its plasma membrane localization in spleen-derived EPCs. We then demonstrated that the PDGFR-β over-expression in EPCs enhanced the PDGF-BB-induced proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of EPCs. Using AG1295 (a PDGFR kinase inhibitor), LY294002 (a PI3K inhibitor), and sc-221226 (an Akt inhibitor), we further showed that the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway participates in the PDGF-BB-induced proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of EPCs. In addition, the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is required for PDGFR-β over-expression to enhance these PDGF-BB-induced phenotypes.     

Cilostazol activates function of bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cell for re-endothelialization in a carotid balloon injury model

Background

Cilostazol(CLZ) has been used as a vasodilating anti-platelet drug clinically and demonstrated to inhibit proliferation of smooth muscle cells and effect on endothelial cells. However, the effect of CLZ on re-endothelialization including bone marrow (BM)-derived endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) contribution is unclear. We have investigated the hypothesis that CLZ might accelerate re-endothelialization with EPCs.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Balloon carotid denudation was performed in male Sprague-Dawley rats. CLZ group was given CLZ mixed feed from 2weeks before carotid injury. Control group was fed normal diet. CLZ accelerated re-endothelialization at 2 weeks after surgery and resulted in a significant reduction of neointima formation 4 weeks after surgery compared with that in control group. CLZ also increased the number of circulating EPCs throughout the time course. We examined the contribution of BM-derived EPCs to re-endothelialization by BM transplantation from Tie2/lacZ mice to nude rats. The number of Tie2-regulated X-gal positive cells on injured arterial luminal surface was increased at 2 weeks after surgery in CLZ group compared with that in control group. In vitro, CLZ enhanced proliferation, adhesion and migration activity, and differentiation with mRNA upregulation of adhesion molecule integrin αvβ3, chemokine receptor CXCR4 and growth factor VEGF assessed by real-time RT-PCR in rat BM-derived cultured EPCs. In addition, CLZ markedly increased the expression of SDF-1α that is a ligand of CXCR4 receptor in EPCs, in the media following vascular injury.

Conclusions/Significance

CLZ promotes EPC mobilization from BM and EPC recruitment to sites of arterial injury, and thereby inhibited neointima formation with acceleration of re-endothelialization with EPCs as well as pre-existing endothelial cells in a rat carotid balloon injury model. CLZ could be not only an anti-platelet agent but also a promising tool for endothelial regeneration, which is a key event for preventing atherosclerosis or restenosis after vascular intervention.     

The matrix protein CCN1 (CYR61) promotes proliferation, migration and tube formation of endothelial progenitor cells

Neovascularization and re-endothelialization relies on circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), but their recruitment and angiogenic roles are subjected to regulation by the vascular microenvironment, which remains largely unknown. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of mature ECs and matrix protein CCN1 on the properties of EPCs. In a coculture system, effects of ECs on proliferation, migration and participation in tube-like formation of EPCs were evaluated, and functional assays were employed to identify the exact role of CCN1 in EPCs vitality and function. We demonstrated that ECs, as an indispensable part of the cellular milieu, significantly promoted the proliferation, migration and tube formation activities of EPCs, and more importantly, CCN1 was potentially involved in such effects of ECs. Expression of CCN1 in EPCs was significantly increased by serum, VEGF, ECs-cocultivation and ECs conditioned medium. Moreover, Ad-CCN1-mediated overexpression of CCN1 directly enhanced migration and tube formation of EPCs, whereas silencing of endogenous CCN1 in EPCs inhibits cell functions. Furthermore, CCN1 induced the expressions of chemokines and growth factors, such as MCP-1 and VEGF, suggesting a complex interaction between those proangiogenic factors. Our data suggest that matrix protein CCN1 may play an important role in microenvironment-mediated biological properties of EPCs.     

Directing migration of endothelial progenitor cells with applied DC electric fields

Naturally-occurring, endogenous electric fields (EFs) have been detected at skin wounds, damaged tissue sites and vasculature. Applied EFs guide migration of many types of cells, including endothelial cells to migrate directionally. Homing of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) to an injury site is important for repair of vasculature and also for angiogenesis. However, it has not been reported whether EPCs respond to applied EFs. Aiming to explore the possibility to use electric stimulation to regulate the progenitor cells and angiogenesis, we tested the effects of direct-current (DC) EFs on EPCs. We first used immunofluorescence to confirm the expression of endothelial progenitor markers in three lines of EPCs. We then cultured the progenitor cells in EFs. Using time-lapse video microscopy, we demonstrated that an applied DC EF directs migration of the EPCs toward the cathode. The progenitor cells also align and elongate in an EF. Inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor signaling completely abolished the EF-induced directional migration of the progenitor cells. We conclude that EFs are an effective signal that guides EPC migration through VEGF receptor signaling in vitro. Applied EFs may be used to control behaviors of EPCs in tissue engineering, in homing of EPCs to wounds and to an injury site in the vasculature.     

Pleiotrophin induces nitric oxide dependent migration of endothelial progenitor cells

Pleiotrophin (PTN) is produced under ischemic conditions and has been shown to induce angiogenesis in vivo. We studied whether or not PTN exerts chemotaxis of pro-angiogenic early endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), a population of circulating cells that have been reported to participate in and stimulate angiogenesis. Chemotaxis of EPCs, isolated from blood of healthy humans (n = 5), was measured in transwell assays. PTN at 10-500 ng/ml elicited dose-dependent chemotaxis of both EPCs and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), but not of human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (CASMCs) and T98G glioblastoma cells that lack PTN receptors. The degree of chemotaxis was comparable to that induced by the angiogenic factors VEGF and SDF-1alpha. Chemotaxis to PTN was blocked by the NOS inhibitors L-NNA and L-NMMA, the NO scavenger PTIO, the phosphoinositide-3 kinase inhibitor wortmannin, and the guanylyl cyclase inhibitor ODQ, suggesting dependence of EPC chemotaxis on these pathways. PTN induced NOS-dependent production of NO to a similar degree as did VEGF, as indicated by the NO indicator DAF-2. PTN increased proliferation in EPCs and HUVECs to a similar extent as VEGF, but did not induce proliferation of CASMCs. While L-NNA abolished PTN-induced migration in EPCs and HUVECs, it did not inhibit PTN- and VEGF-enhanced proliferation and also caused proliferation by itself. These data suggest that PTN may mediate its pro-angiogenic effects by increasing the local number of not only endothelial cells but also early EPCs at angiogenic sites.     

Hemin promotes proliferation and differentiation of endothelial progenitor cells via activation of AKT and ERK

Increased neovascularization is commonly observed in hemorrhagic plaques and associated with rupture of atherosclerotic lesions. This study aims to investigate whether hemin accumulated at the site of hematoma promotes neovascularization through affecting the growth and function of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and the possible mechanism involved. Here we demonstrated that hemin promoted a significant increase in neovessel formation in matrigel plugs embedded in vivo and enhanced the proliferation and endothelial gene expression in EPCs in vitro. VEGF‐induced migration response and the capability to incorporate into the vascular networks were markedly enhanced in hemin‐treated EPCs. Hemin induced the phosphorylation of ERK and AKT but not p38 or JNK. The inhibition of AKT or ERK activation significantly attenuated the effect of hemin on cell proliferation. However, the enhanced migration response induced by hemin was significantly suppressed by the inhibition of AKT but not ERK. Hemin induced significant increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and hemin‐induced angiogenic response of EPCs was substantially reduced by treatment with N‐acetylcysteine. Collectively, these data support that hemin‐induced ROS mediates the activation of AKT and ERK signaling pathways, which in turn promotes the cell proliferation and function of EPCs. J. Cell. Physiol. 219: 617–625, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Acheron regulates vascular endothelial proliferation and angiogenesis together with Id1 during wound healing

RNA binding protein acheron has proved to be either the mediator of integrin‐extracellular matrix interactions or the regulatory factor that participates in vertebrate development, cell differentiation and cell death. We report the role of acheron in vascular endothelial proliferation, angiogenesis and wound healing post‐trauma. Co‐immunoprecipitation showed that Acheron forms a ternary complex with β1 integrin and Id1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells following stimulation with serious trauma serum. Acheron, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and β1 integrin mRNA expression was apparently inhibited, and capillary density and wound healing rate also were reduced in Id1‐deficient mice trauma model. Acheron together with Id1 significantly induces VEGF, not CD105 level inhibition by serious trauma serum for 24 h. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that acheron may be an effective mediator of promoting endothelial proliferation, angiogenesis and wound healing probably by regulating VEGF together with Id1. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.